spruces

Word Origin & History

"evergreen tree," 1660s, from spruse (adj.) "made of spruce wood" (early 15c.), literally "from Prussia," from Spruce, Sprws (late 14c.), unexplained alterations of Pruce "Prussia," from an Old French form of Prussia. Spruce seems to have been a generic term for commodities brought to England by Hanseatic merchants (beer, board, leather, see spruce (v.)), and the tree was believed to have come from Prussia.

Example Sentences for spruces

Camp was pitched in a grove of spruces at the lower end of the lake.

It was clear and crisp yet the air had a fragrance of the cedars and spruces.

A light wind had risen, rustling the firs and spruces above his head.

And the next instant she was among the spruces, too, confronting him with her rifle.

It is a novel sight to see the firs and spruces on this stormy sea-coast.

He ...

EXPAND

Relevance ranks synonyms and suggests the best matches based on how closely a synonym’s sense matches the sense you selected.